Sergio Aguero is facing a three-match ban after throwing an elbow at Winston Reid yesterday -and could miss the Manchester derby.
The striker caught West Ham’s central defender late on during Manchester City’s 3-1 win, sealed by a Raheem Sterling double and a Fernandinho header. Reid was instantly removed by Slaven Bilic, but the Hammers boss later said that was a tactical decision.
Referee Andre Marriner was close by and City will argue that he saw the incident. But he gave no free-kick and it appeared last night that the official was unaware of any violent conduct. That means the FA could look at retrospective action if Marriner says he did not see the incident.
Reid, who West Ham confirmed had recovered last night, could not speak in the dressing room, and Mark Noble said: ‘I know he couldn’t talk. He said he had got something in the throat.’
A suspension would see Aguero miss the clash with Jose Mourinho’s United at Old Trafford on September 10, another Premier League game against Bournemouth before a trip to the Liberty Stadium to face Swansea in the EFL Cup.
‘I didn’t see it, so I cannot comment,’ City boss Pep Guardiola said.
‘Hopefully nothing happens. If it happens, we accept and adapt. If we lose him, we lose him.’
West Ham boss Slaven Bilic also did not notice the incident and revealed Reid’s substitution seconds later was tactical.
‘I didn’t react to that. I reacted then because we wanted to make a sub,’ Bilic said. But the Hammers boss did not use the incident, which occurred with the score at 2-1, as an excuse for his team’s defeat.
‘You can’t say City didn’t deserve to win. Even before they scored, they had two corners and one semi-chance so they were much better than us.’
Regardless of Aguero’s potential absence, the meeting with United is one Guardiola is looking forward to. ‘We have to make an amazing performance to win at Old Trafford,’ he said.
‘I can imagine the atmosphere. I am looking forward to living that experience.’
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